Essay on african philosophy
What makes a good teacher?
Teachers are important and make a difference. The quality of teaching is a crucial factor in promoting effective learning in schools. Effective teaching requires individuals who are academically able and who care about the well-being of children and youth.
Points Arising from Research
The most powerful single factor that enhances achievement is feedback – positive, encouraging, clearly targeted.
The setting of appropriate, specific and challenging goals is critical.
Effective teachers make purpose and content explicit, plan carefully, use systematic assessment and feedback, make connections, encourage children to think about thinking and model what they want the children to do.
Key Elements of What makes a good teacher?
Research detailing the direct effect of good teaching on pupils is difficult to assess, as relating ‘good teaching’ directly to higher attainment in pupils is almost impossible to verify. However there are many attempts to analyse what constitutes a ‘good teacher’. The following points are generally agreed to have an impact on pupils:
Subject Matter Knowledge
Highly knowledgeable and up to date in their subject area, but do not pretend to know it all, willing to learn from pupils
Teachers’ repertoires of best practices
Provide learner with clear tasks, goals, and requirement and inform them of progress made. A key skill in teaching is the ability to explain and describe things clearly
Encourage pupils to think, to make connections, to practise and reinforce, to learn from other learners and to feel that if they make mistakes they will not be ridiculed or treated negatively
Promote pupil participation through problem solving, questioning, discussion and “buzz group” activities
Treat all pupil questions seriously
Teachers are important and make a difference. The quality of teaching is a crucial factor in promoting effective learning in schools. Effective teaching requires individuals who are academically able and who care about the well-being of children and youth.
Points Arising from Research
The most powerful single factor that enhances achievement is feedback – positive, encouraging, clearly targeted.
The setting of appropriate, specific and challenging goals is critical.
Effective teachers make purpose and content explicit, plan carefully, use systematic assessment and feedback, make connections, encourage children to think about thinking and model what they want the children to do.
Key Elements of What makes a good teacher?
Research detailing the direct effect of good teaching on pupils is difficult to assess, as relating ‘good teaching’ directly to higher attainment in pupils is almost impossible to verify. However there are many attempts to analyse what constitutes a ‘good teacher’. The following points are generally agreed to have an impact on pupils:
Subject Matter Knowledge
Highly knowledgeable and up to date in their subject area, but do not pretend to know it all, willing to learn from pupils
Teachers’ repertoires of best practices
Provide learner with clear tasks, goals, and requirement and inform them of progress made. A key skill in teaching is the ability to explain and describe things clearly
Encourage pupils to think, to make connections, to practise and reinforce, to learn from other learners and to feel that if they make mistakes they will not be ridiculed or treated negatively
Promote pupil participation through problem solving, questioning, discussion and “buzz group” activities
Treat all pupil questions seriously
References: Further Reading Aspy D. & Roebuck F. (1977) Kids Don’t Learn from People They Don’t Like, Ameherst, Mass: Human Resource Development Press Hayes, L.(2000) Am I Teaching Well ? Learning Matters Smith, A. & Call, N.(1999) The ALPS Approach Accelerated Learning in the Primary School, Network Educational Press Smith, A. & Call, N. (2003) The ALPS Approach Resource Book, Network Educational Press Smith, A. (2001) Accelerated Learning in Practice, Network Educational Press